Come have a seat at our table, cooks and diners, and let's talk.
Debbie Pataky of Lookout Mountain is making a request, as she wrote, for many who have been in their situation of managing a home kitchen while taking care of family in the hospital or sick at home. She is also thinking of people she loves who have lost family members and just may not have much heart for cooking or even for eating healthfully.
"My plea is for easy and quick nutritious meals. My bestie Marilyn fixed my very favorite meal on our arrival home: pinto beans, real cooked dry beans. Mmmm good. But I'm thinking, 'What do I fix next?'"
She added, "Ask readers to send recipes or places to pick up ready-made meals to have on hand."
An out-of-town correspondent, E.T.D., visited the Common House in Chattanooga's Southside and was taken with their food. "The focaccia was the best I've ever had, and so was the gluten-free tomato soup, served with a gluten-free grilled cheese. What are the chances of getting those recipes from the Common House?"
LEMON PUDDING CAKE
Mignon Ballard inherited her mother's recipe for a mysterious dessert. In their family it is called Lemon Mystery, though a more common title is Lemon Pudding Cake.
Who doesn't love a mystery that involves food?
Lemon Mystery
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt
1 lemon (juice and grated rind)
3 eggs (yolks and whites beaten separately)
1 1/2 cups milk
In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar; add flour, salt, juice and rind of lemon, and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix beaten egg yolks with milk.
In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.
Into the first bowl, stir in egg yolks mixed with milk, then fold in beaten whites. Pour into a lightly greased baking dish, and set the dish in a pan of hot water. Bake 40 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
TJ TIPS AND COUSCOUS
Tim Threadgill speaks with authority on Trader Joe's questions. "My wife and I lived in the Los Angeles area for 15 years and missed Trader Joe's terribly when we moved here. The request in today's column prompted me to get busy."
In this matter as in others, timing is everything. "I suggest the first visit should be first thing in the morning after the store opens. Trader Joe's pays and incentivizes their staff very well, and positions are highly prized. (You will notice they do not have a Help Wanted sign posted.) TJ always allows their employees to sample new and seasonal items, and all are very familiar with the store and what they have. Unlike some other stores, the opening staff is large, since they stock the store in the early morning. They all love to share what they find special about the place."
Mr. Threadgill is looking ahead to Valentine's Day, first praising the store's selection of reasonably priced wines. "There are some really yummy prosecco and rosé wines in stock for Valentine's Day. And speaking of that day, dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Buy at your own risk if you have restraint issues."
And this is his answer to the request for a recipe using couscous.
Orange-Scented Couscous Salad with Almonds, Cilantro, and Cucumber
1 cup orange juice, divided
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/3 cup chopped red onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Combine 3/4 cup orange juice, water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, coriander, cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add couscous and cranberries. Cover and let stand 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. Transfer couscous mixture to a large bowl.
Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add nuts to pan; cook 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Add nuts, chicken, cucumber, onion and cilantro to couscous; toss.
Combine remaining 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, lime juice and mustard, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add oil to juice mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle juice mixture over couscous mixture, tossing to coat.
Serving suggestion: Cut wonton wrappers into wedges, coat with cooking spray and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until crisp, and serve with the salad.
Makes 4 servings.
HASH BROWN CASSEROLE
It's fun to see the long-lasting presence of Fare Exchange when readers like Betty Domal share personal favorites from years gone by.
She wrote, "Here is the potato casserole I found in Fare Exchange in April 2008. The sender described it as 'very much like the Cracker Barrel casserole.' It is a favorite in my family, and I have been requested to make it a number of times over the years."
Potato Casserole Like Cracker Barrel's
1 (26- or 30-ounce) package of country-style hash browns (or use your favorite hash browns)
2 cups Colby cheese, shredded
1/2 cup minced onion (or substitute 1 tablespoon onion powder)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) of butter
1 dash garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 9- by 13-inch dish with Pam.
Mix all ingredients in a large saucepan on the stovetop. Heat until the cheese is melted, then pour into the sprayed dish.
Bake at 425 degrees for 40 to 60 minutes.
Caution: It may start getting brown around the edges of the dish. If this happens, fold strips of foil and place all around the edges of the dish.
SEARED STEAK TIP
This column has a watchful newspaper friend we'll call B.L. She explores Chattanooga's foodie life and recently found a knowledgeable source for cooking steaks indoors.
She wrote, "This is for the cook wanting to know how to sear a steak in cast iron [from the column on Jan. 19].
"The January Steakhouse Dinner class at Sweet & Savory Classroom is too late to be of help, but there are more such classes coming up in February, March and April, according to their online calendar."
The advantage here, affirms Ms. L, is this. "You get a meal when you pay for the class."
The link is sweetandsavoryclassroom.com.
TO FINISH
I enjoyed your company this morning, most helpful readers, and hope to meet you again next Wednesday.
REQUESTS
- Easy and quick nutritious meals (recipes and sources)
- Common House's focaccia, tomato soup, grilled cheese
TO REACH US
Fare Exchange is a longtime meeting place for people who love to cook and love to eat. We welcome both your recipes and your requests. Be sure to include precise instructions for every recipe you send, and know we cannot test the recipes printed here.
Mailing address: Jane Henegar, 913 Mount Olive Road, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
Email: chattfare@gmail.com
Jane Henegar